Experiences of different types of discrimination in the UK during the first 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study

This study describes the causes and frequency of different types of discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic using mixed methods. Quantitative data on seven types of discrimination were collected from adults in the UCL Covid-19 Social Study in July 2020 and July 2021 (N=15,154). From those reporting discrimination in July 2020, qualitative thematic analysis classified responses on discrimination from eight free-text questions collected October-November 2020 (N = 1,121). Younger age, belonging to an ethnic minority group, lower household income (< £30,000), higher educational attainment, and having a physical or mental health condition increased the likelihood of having experienced at least one type of discrimination in 2020 and 2021. Descriptions of discrimination related to health and disability, age, social class, race, and gender. Qualitative findings indicate that although there may have been fewer face-to-face instances of discrimination reported, systemic consequences of stigma were heightened during the first year of the pandemic.